Cadag pleaded guilty to one count of trafficking a controlled substance — methamphetamine or “ice.”
Judge Govendo accepted the plea and sentenced Cadag to five years in prison, but all suspended except one year and six months.
Cadag will serve the 18-month prison sentence day for day without the possibility of parole or early release or other similar programs, the judge said.
Upon completing his prison sentence, Cadag will be placed on three-year probation.
At the change of plea hearing, Cadag appeared out of custody and was represented by Chief Public Defender Douglas Hartig. An interpreter was also provided to Cadag, a Filipino national.
Assistant Attorney General Chester Hinds appeared for the government.
Cadag was arrested after the CNMI Drug Enforcement Task force conducted a buy-bust operation in March 2018. Cadag sold “ice” to a cooperating informant.
Cadag admitted that he was actively distributing and selling “ice” on island.
The task force noted that at the time of the transaction, Cadag had his 2-year-old son with him.
The change of plea hearing for Cadag was previously rescheduled because his wife was off-island, and there was no one else who would look after their child.
